I operate the Ment Media Group & also write about a range of issues affecting business, the working life and the pursuit of an ethical human experience. Subscribe to the Jonathan Ment Photography blog, follow on Twitter & find me on Facebook.

Free, free, free.

I’ve long been an fan of infomercials and television advertising – or as I prefer to describe it, “a student of the pitch.’

I’m not crazy mind you, I do prefer commercial free broadcasts, have time-shifted since the age of the VCR and have been known to pause a DVR long enough to get ahead of even the most stubborn commercial breaks.

BUT, if I’m watching the ads I’m studying the pitches and trends. Of particular interest to me are the vague unspecified upcharges.

The BOGO offer has long been a staple of retail – once a two-for-one arrangement, it’s more commonly a one at full price and one at a discount type of deal these days.

“Just pay separate shipping and handling,” once the popular tag line, has been replaced with some variation of ‘Just pay an additional fee.”

In the age where free shipping has become the sought-after norm, an ‘additional fee’ is suitably vague and potentially all-encompassing.

While behemoth Amazon is working to make it even easier to return things, with it’s Kohl’s partnership, there are still companies out there who work to keep enough of your money even after a return, to make the whole transaction worthwhile.

New Jersey-based (surprised?) Telebrands also agreed to revise telephone and internet ordering systems toward more clearly informaing customers of their purchase and its price, according the Attorney General’s Office.

“According to the complaint, the defendants’ websites, TV infomercials and email deceived consumers by prominently claiming that their products and services were free, without clearly disclosing that they would start charging consumers if they did not cancel their “free trial” or return the “free” products. They also misrepresented their return, refund and cancellation policies. Specifically, they buried these terms in pages of fine print that people could reach only through a tiny hyperlink.”

But wait, there’s more…

In April the brand behind the Pocket Fisherman announced plans for its IPO. Analysts question whether the Ronco has any real value left. I say it’s one to watch. The company’s website boasts “free shipping,” with an “*” and the shipping policies include “A shipping and handling fee is applied to all orders. The shipping and handling cost is a non-negotiable flat rate fee that covers the cost of postage as well as handling and packaging costs for the 48 continental states. An additional shipping and handling fee will be applied to all Canada, Alaska and Hawaii orders.”

What’s up with that?

Free Delivery Indicating With Our Compliments And For Nothing (or included in the price…)

What it’s all about:

Perhaps years working in and writing about and promoting the small business community has emboldened me to offer my assistance. In addition to marketing strategy and execution, I am a working photographer, videographer, writer and blogger.

Blogs run the gamut of issues, from observations to analysis; failures to successes. Sometimes serious, sometimes light, hopefully these posts are always engaging.

I am available for small in-person and remote consultations on as-needed or a contract basis.